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Top tip for the classroom - Composition

Submitted by Education on Wed, 11/11/2015 - 11:25

Each term we'll be sharing top tips for the classroom from our experienced Artist Educators. Ania Bas is currently working with us on a project with Year 9 students from Sarah Bonnell School in Stratford, supporting them with documenting their artwork and sketchbooking. Here she shares a tip to help students get started with composition:

When exploring aspects of composition I like to start with the space each student has in front of them - the space of the table - and treat it like a temporary canvas. Students first create a frame with masking tape and then arrange objects within it to create compositions out of pencils, books, and other objects found in their bags and pockets, as well as cut-outs. It is a useful starting point that can lead to a photography project (including explanation and exploration of the rule of thirds) but can also translate into a drawing, a painting or an installation.